HC Deb 21 May 1883 vol 279 cc586-7
MR. LALOR

begged to asked the the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that Mr. Healy, M.P. for Wexford, Mr. Michael Davitt, and Mr. Quinn, at present confined in Richmond Gaol, have been deprived of the usual privilege of receiving visitors, because of Mr. Healy's having published a letter in reference to the Pope's Circular on Friday last; and, if it is true, whether, for the future, it is to be considered a punishable offence to make any remark in regard to the justice or injustice of the Pope's interference in Irish affairs?

MR. TREVELYAN,

in reply, said, he could not complain of the hon. Member not giving him a longer Notice, as he had had no opportunity of doing so; but the consequence had been that he (Mr. Trevelyan) had not been able to refer to Dublin upon the matter. Therefore, he could only tell the hon. Member what was within his own personal knowledge. Mr. Healy and Mr. Davitt sent their letters open with cheques, and with a request that, after having been perused, they might be forwarded to the newspapers. The letters were sent open to be read, according to the rules, and they were read. In fact, he saw and read them himself. They were afterwards, it being rather late, posted by the Under Secretary, so that he could hardly think that Mr. Davitt and Mr. Healy should be subjected to any punishment, seeing that they had taken great pains to conform to the prison rules.

MR. LALOR

said, that as information had reached him to the effect he had already stated, he should be glad if the right hon. Gentleman would make inquiries as to whether there wag any truth in the report,

MR. TREVELYAN,

in reply, said, it was possible that something might have happened, which had come to the hon. Member's ears; but he (Mr. Trevelyan) had stated all he knew personally on the subject. However, he would make inquiries to-day, and would take care to ascertain if the case was as he represented; and he would take care, if he found it to be correct, that the prisoners would be relieved from the inconveniences complained of.

MR. LALOR

intimated that he would ask the right hon. Gentleman for the result of the inquiries on Thursday.